Moxon Vise for Chain Sharpening or Other Tasks?

[JCB]

Hi,

I just had to have one of these Moxon vises: https://www.lakeerietoolworks.com/collections/moxon-vise-screw-kit-1/products/moxon-vise-screw-kit

I wonder if it would help when sharpening saw blades. While one would need to place the mounting clamps to the rear and out of the way (at least at one end), the jaws could hold any length bar and chain. Just a thought....

In just a few days, I’ve found about 12 tasks where it held everything I wanted it to. A wonderful tool! Perhaps the best part is its mobility. One can clamp it to a kitchen table, picnic table, truck tailgate, and so on, and thereby bring it to the worksite.

I think the maple wood was grown in a laboratory as it is flawless, and the screw threads (machined on a CNC) look like they are made of steel (not a nick anywhere). One can buy DIY kits with steel hardware, but must supply the wood jaws—not much savings (no savings with some kits) and you miss out on the visceral enjoyment of the wooden screws.

It’s truly a work of art that functions superbly. And they make a smaller version: https://www.lakeerietoolworks.com/collections/moxon-vise-screw-kit-1/products/moxon-vise-lite

Takes four weeks to get one from the factory but they’re in stock at Highland Hardware: https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/lake-erie-toolworks-moxon-vise-kit.aspx

JB

 

[Jonny]

The craftsmanship looks stunning!
I’d worry about damaging it if used for anything other than wood.
Are you placing small scraps of wood between the jaws and the chainsaw bar?

I thought about getting one of these to clamp on the tailgate for sharpening saws on the job, but haven’t yet. For now I keep spare sharp or new chains in my center console and just swap chains if I need to in the field. Also I make sure any saws going out in the morning are already nice and sharp, that’s a given I suppose.

 

[flushcut]

For that money I’d be looking for a antique saw filers vise.

 

[JCB]

For that money I’d be looking for a antique saw filers vise.

I agree that that's an option. But I have one of those and found out that old does not always mean long-lasting, or built from modern-quality steel, or that it wasn't worn out by long use. Just about all of the screw threads on my antique saw-vise are shot.

However, for about the same price, one can have this American-made beauty: https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/GT-SAWV

PS: I actually use my wooden vise for woodworking, but it occurred to me that it might be useful for saw sharpening.

 

[JCB]

The craftsmanship looks stunning!
I’d worry about damaging it if used for anything other than wood.
Are you placing small scraps of wood between the jaws and the chainsaw bar?

I thought about getting one of these to clamp on the tailgate for sharpening saws on the job, but haven’t yet. For now I keep spare sharp or new chains in my center console and just swap chains if I need to in the field. Also I make sure any saws going out in the morning are already nice and sharp, that’s a given I suppose.

I actually use mine for woodworking, but it occurred to me that it might be useful for saw sharpening.

That said, I wouldn't worry too much about damaging the jaws with a bar and chain--although you could certainly line the jaws for saw work if you wanted to avoid getting oil on them.

I have an old woodworker's vise lined with poplar jaws, and I have used that thing for every type of object I can think of for decades now (including chain sharpening); the jaws are barely marked. I think these maple jaws would withstand even greater abuse, especially because the forces are spread over such long surfaces.

 

[Barc Buster]

There is a dedicated chain vise…

SOLD - Mikes Chain vise

Mike's chain vise. Never used 115 shipped paypal.[ATTACH]

opeforum.com

Mike’s handle is Homelite410 on opeforum and Arborist site.

 

[Vicente]

Definitely never going to catch me dropping 200$ on a wooden vise.

 

[Treeaddict]

I sharpen the chain while on the saw, predominately. If the chain comes off to be sharpened, it goes on the electric grinder. I just can’t fathom taking off a chain and then hand filing. ‍That is a nice wooden vice though.

 

[JCB]

I sharpen the chain while on the saw, predominately. If the chain comes off to be sharpened, it goes on the electric grinder. I just can’t fathom taking off a chain and then hand filing. ‍That is a nice wooden vice though.

Obviously, I would not remove the chain to use the wooden vise. It is long enough to hold the entire length of the bar and chain. That's why I thought it might work for arborists, but it was just an idea.

 

[Barc Buster]

Obviously, I would not remove the chain to use the wooden vise. It is long enough to hold the entire length of the bar and chain. That's why I thought it might work for arborists, but it was just an idea.

I guess I misunderstood before when I recommended a chain vise to you. In that case why not just use a regular 6” shop vise like most hand filers. Personally I don’t have time to spend hand filing and just carry 2-3 extra sharp chains for each saw in the truck. On rainy days dull chain goes through the chain grinder. Much faster and more uniform results that way.

 

[JCB]

Well, I suppose in the end it comes down to an appreciation for old (or new, well-crafted or ingenious) tools, hardware, furniture, and so on. That's why I mention "the visceral enjoyment of the wooden screws" above--and I suppose it's why many folks like antique furniture, as well as vises, anvils, and other tools. But, as many people have discovered, a two-hundred-year-old wood chisel will never keep an edge like a new, cryogenic-steel chisel.

I mean, it's much like when we just have to have that new piece of arborist kit--not so much because we absolutely need it to do our job, or that it might not find itself sitting unused in a drawer--but because we simply like the concept of it, and the feel of it in our hand. Maybe sort of like the imagined need to have the latest color of climbing rope. . .

I admit I am a sucker for perfectly crafted tools (which this vise is) and other objects, especially in this world where almost everything one purchases is crap. I'm building furniture just now and I must say that hand-planing a board in the wooden vise just feels right. Perhaps it provides me with a connection to a time/society that was more sensible and wholesome than today's.

I'm certain that, because I do not sharpen chains every day like others here, I have a lot to learn about that skill and the best tools for it. But, for any woodworkers, carvers, crafters out there, I doubt you'll find a better vise (new or old) for portability, or to hold large or irregularly-shaped objects.

Enjoy the day.

 

[JCB]

Have vise, will travel.

I'm fashioning some finish trim-work in my living room and am able to mount the new vise on the kitchen island. I can now plane-fit the boards without going down cellar every time. Only leaves behind a pile of wood shavings; no dust.